Free Stuff

Women are funny. Maybe men are too but I know about women experientially. Is that a word? We are funny creatures! And we really love free stuff!

Last week I went to the National Women's Leadership Forum in Nashville. Over six hundred women gathered at the LifeWay building to learn more about how to minister to women in Jesus' name. It was a wonderful time of worship, enrichment, learning, and bonding. I went with the leadership team from my last church (since I haven't found my place in women's ministry in Birmingham yet) so let me just add a huge amount of giggling to that list. I have not laughed that much in months! It was so much fun!

The other bonus was the free stuff everywhere! At check-in we received a free canvas bag and in it - free books! It was exciting! Free samples of new Bible studies were plentiful along with free copies of LifeWay magazines. I received a free tee-shirt when I registered for next year's forum and did I tell you that free chocolate was everywhere? (These people know women!)

Each time we met for a large group setting, door prizes were given away. We gripped our little numbered ticket hoping against hope that our number would be called. Squeals of excitement came from the winners blended with a disappointed but concerted effort toward "happy for you" applause from everyone else.

I need to stop here and tell you that last year one in our group received two tickets to this year's forum as a door prize. We all doted on her to the point of ridiculous, hoping to get her extra ticket. (Still looking for free stuff!) This year I got the new Beth Moore study Breaking Free. It was the last door prize given. whew!
It is such a cool thing to get something free! To receive something without effort - we were just sitting there! And not because of who we are - they certainly didn't know by the number they called! Just because someone wanted to give it away and we wanted to receive.

We do get so excited about getting free stuff! I have good news . . . and it is free! Jesus Christ offers the free gift of salvation to anyone who will receive! Not because of what we have done but because of what He did! Not because of who we are but because of who He is!

The ticket? Jesus. The prize? Jesus! It doesn't get any better than that!

The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NLT)